‰ NOW 18 WPM transition file follows‰ Very low solar activity continues. Over the past week, average daily solar flux changed insignificantly from 67.1 to 67. There were no sunspots. Average daily planetary A index changed from 8.4 to 5.9, while mid latitude A index changed from 8.6 to 6.7. Conditions remain quiet. Predicted solar flux is 68 on July 19 to 26, and 67 on July 27 to September 1. Predicted planetary A index is 5 on July 19 to 22, 8 on July 23, 5 on July 24 to 27, 8 on July 28, 5 on July 29 through August 3, then 8, 15, 15 and 8 on August 4 to 7, 5 on August 8 to 10, then 10, 12 and 8 on August 11 to 13, 5 on August 14 to 23, 8 on August 24, 5 on August 25 to 30, then 8 and 15 on August 31 through September 1. On July 17 spaceweather.com reported a coronal hole spewing a stream of solar wind, with arrival expected to cause minor geomagnetic upset around July 19 and 20. They also reported that so far in this calendar year 64 per cent of all days were without sunspots. Last year the total number of spotless days was 61 per cent, 28 per cent in 2017, 9 per cent in 2016, and zero days were spotless in 2011 to 2015, except for 2 days in 2011 and 1 day in 2014. On Saturday morning, July 13, N4SO of Grand Bay, Alabama reported 24.915 MHz FT8 digital mode. Power is 15 watts. Date was 12 July testing a new antenna. Worked K1HZ Texas, QRP 5 watts for first contact, W6SR California, K0TW Arizona, K0COL Colorado, KF7F Utah, TG9AKH Guatemala, and K0JJ Oregon. I saw other DX but no contact. The 12 meter band opened today, Saturday, with only 3 stations calling CQ, W2SKI Virginia, XE2YWB Zacatecas, NW of Mexico City and VE2GCE Quebec. VE6GK reported, Almost 50 years since my first QSO and I still love learning about and following the sunspot cycle. Also on July 12, KD4SR reported, in a message titled Dont forget Sporadic E. Yesterday I worked P.R., HH, HI, PV, and VE from Central Florida on 6 meters, 100 watts, FT8. Japan was worked by others. Europe, Africa, and all over North and South America have been regulars on 6 almost daily. G5RV and ground plane antennas. Summer is Es season. The day before the IARU HF Championship, 10 meters opened fairly well to Europe, around 2016Z I turned on the radio to find EA4ZK on 10 CW with a S6 to 8 signal and made an easy QSO. This was followed by CW QSOs with Belgium, Germany, Oliver, F6ARC in France, LZ1NK in Bulgaria moved up from 15M where he was S9, weak on 10, Karel, OK1CF in Czech Republic, Italy, P44W in Aruba, and 8P5A, Barbados. Also worked on 10M SSB were EC1KR in Spain and F4FPG. The last EU QSO was OK1CF at 2217Z, an opening of at least 2 hours. Chores prevented any activity in the contest on the 13th until 1910Z when I found EI7M, Ireland on 10M CW. The 10M band was also wide open to New England, NY, and FL. Thanks to many IARU member headquarters stations being on all bands whenever open, I managed quite a few EU QSOs. On CW, HQ stations in France, England, and later Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovenia were worked along with about 3 Germans, Croatia, Belgium, Hungary, and England, last QSO at 2200Z. On SSB at 1932Z I quickly worked 6 HQ stations in Croatia, France, Serbia, Italy, and Switzerland, then later adding Germany. It was disappointing that there was almost no non HQ activity on SSB. The propagation highlight was hearing 4Z7ZZ in Israel Q5 copy here calling IO8HQ in Italy, that is huge number of Es hops. PX2A in Brazil was also logged at 1916Z. More good information and tutorials on propagation are at //k9la.us/. Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations are at //arrl.org/propagation. Instructions for starting or ending email distribution of ARRL bulletins are at //arrl.org/bulletins. Sunspot numbers were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a mean of 0. 10.7 cm flux was 67.1, 66.8, 66, 67.2, 67.1, 67.2, and 67.8, with a mean of 67. Estimated planetary A indices were 8, 5, 6, 5, 7, 4, and 6, with a mean of 5.9. Middle latitude A index was 9, 5, 6, 6, 8, 5, and 8, with a mean of 6.7. ‰ END OF 18 WPM transition file ƒ